I have a love affair with felt you guys. It is so outrageously soft, and easy to craft with and oh so pretty. So a month or so when I was contacted by Chronicle Books about reviewing the newest book from Amy Palanjian I jumped at it.

The book is called So Pretty! Felt and I’m in love.

It’s full of 24 “simple, yet elegant” projects – which is one reason I love it. I’m a sucker for simple and elegant. I seriously loved every project in the book and couldn’t wait to start on one. So I didn’t.

I had been meaning to make my daughter a bow to match her favorite Sunday dress and figured this was the perfect chance. I pulled out some 100% heathered wool felt that I had in my stash and some embroidery floss and used one of the projects for inspiration. I put mine on a bobby pin instead of a headband.

It was so fun and, like they said, simple. And there is such a great range of projects featured in the book. From hair accessories to an adorable pin cushion to cupcake toppers & buntings it’s all in there.

*no compensation for this post was received, but I was given a complimentary copy of the book to review*

1.Tell us a little about you and your blog.

At the suggestion of my wonderful husband, I started our blog to document all of our adventures, as we like to call them. From big adventures like learning to cook gluten free, to digging out and finishing our basement, to little adventures like new favorite things and lessons God is teaching us, we love living each adventure together. The Adventures of D and V is a lifestyle blog that is about…well, our life!

2.How and when did you start crafting?

I have always loved crafting. Ever since I was in Elementary school, I was always making something. A 9 patch blanket for my doll, a chair for my Barbie, homemade cards for friend’s birthdays. I have always been a “make it from scratch” kind of girl. Designing and creating something is the fun part for me.

3.How often do you craft?

I craft whenever I have the time! Sometimes that is every day, and then sometimes I go weeks between crafts. But I try not to let it go that long, because crafting makes me happy!

4.Where do you get your inspiration?

I like to draw inspiration from memories and things that are sentimental to me. Things I remember from my grandparents houses, ideas that come to me while we are on vacation to help remember a special time. But let’s be honest here, Pinterest is also a constant source of inspiration, as well as my local flee market!

5.What is your favorite medium to work in?

Both of my grandmothers were sewers, so from a young age sewing and fabric has been a favorite of mine. When I was growing up it was a special thing to get to sew with grandma, now that both of my grandmothers have passed away, it is a special thing I do to in memory of them and all that they taught me.

6.What is your guilty pleasure?

I would have to say, watching TV. Daniel and I love watching shows from the beginning to end on Netflix, and totally get sucked in, sometimes watching 3 or 4 episodes in a row…it’s just so easy when you don’t have to wait a week for the next episode!

7.What makes you smile?

My husband. Even when I am in a grumpy mood, and do not want to smile, he some how manages to make me laugh. He is my favorite!

8.What is your favorite thing to do (other than crafting)?

Swimming or teaching swimming lessons. I grew up in the pool, was a competitive swimming from age 5 – 22, and have been teaching swimming lessons for over 10 years. I just love being in the pool and sharing that love of the water with little swimmers!

*Concrete Leaf Yard Art Tutorial by Heidi @ greendoodle for her win of the Outdoor challenge of season 15*

You will be surprised how quick and fun this project is. It has a definate wow factor! Hopefully this tutorial has the information you need, however, feel free to contact me over at greendoodle if you have any questions.

Guess what guys? Seven years ago today, 5 months to the day after laying eyes on each other for the first time, I married the most perfect guy on earth (You can try to argue it, but you’d still be wrong. He really is the most perfect).

*I know the pictures a little blurry, but I just love it so!*

What!?! Seven years! We were just babies then it seems like. And there’s no way it’s been 7 years. To celebrate my love whisked me off to NYC.

So while I’m eating pizza, buying cheap knock-offs, walking around the park, and exploring the MET for the next few days, you guys get to check out these three fantastic Handmade Gift ideas.

I got a new sewing machine a few weeks ago and have been doing a little more sewing that normal. But, do you know what I hate? Pinning patterns to the fabric! I had heard of and seen the little bean bag time paper weights, but I didn’t want to have to deal with making some of those. Then I saw this linked up to the linky party last week:

Over-sized washers wrapped in ribbon! So much easier to make and just as effective. It really was one of those, “well, duh” moments for me. Such a simple solution. Thanks Sugar Tart Crafts for pointing it out to me.

That means Heidi @ greendoodle pulls in another win! Congrats Heidi! That concrete leaf really is amazing. It makes me want a yard so I can have a reason to have one

But we have to say goodbye to Veronica @ Adventures of D & V. Saying goodbye this late in the season is always so hard don’t you think? I always looked forward to seeing what Veronica would come up with and I was never disappointed.

It’s a good thing she has a blog so I have somewhere to go to keep up with her . So head on over there and follow along with me.

1. Tell us a little about you and your blog.

Spool and Spoon is mostly crafty, some foodie, and a whole lotta Jess. My blog is definitely an extension of me. It’s where I get to escape the monotony of my left-brain life and experiment with all of the creative goodness out there.

2. How and when did you start crafting?

When I was 4 years old I went nowhere without my tutu and 72-count Crayola crayon carrying case; during high school, I filled my schedule with every art elective possible; I started college as an Art Ed. major; I DIYed my entire wedding; and now, I have a whole room in our house dedicated to pursuing my creative endeavors. The point is: I can’t remember a moment without crafting.

3. How often do you craft?

All. The. Time.

4. Where do you get your inspiration?

I wish I was one of those people who found inspiration in every nook and cranny of their life but I’m not really wired that way. Pinterest has led me to so many amazing blogs that have exposed me to projects, trends, and mediums I wasn’t even aware existed so I’m incredibly grateful to the talent of others. On that same track, I super love knock-offs so paging through my favorite catalogs is probably the most inspiring pastime.

5. What is your favorite medium to work in?

I’m one of those people who are fanatical about a lot of things but obsessive about none. A couple years ago, I would have easily answered this but I’ve since tried so many new things that picking just one seems impossible.

6. What is your guilty pleasure?

“Here Comes Honey Boo Boo” – enough said.

7. What makes you smile?

Beside the obvious (my husband in Ray Bans, sexy pants and chuck taylors, our cat and pup sharing a tender moment, and a trove of new blog followers) – it’s the little things that make me smile. Surprise Starbucks from the Mr. An incredible sale at J.Crew. Receiving a random greeting card in the mail. A marathon of The Office. A husband-approved Target shopping trip. A good hair day.

8. What is your favorite thing to do (other than crafting)?

Hi! I'm Tauni, host of So You Think You're Crafty. SYTYC is a head-to-head crafting competition - the first “reality” blog. Every 10 weeks a new group of crafters is selected. Each week the crafters are given a theme and YOU vote for your favorite. Read More…

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SYTYC may from time to time accept forms of cash advertising, sponsorship or other forms of compensation. Compensation received will not influence the editorial content. If I'm not honestly excited about a product, I won't write about it.